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16 Jun 2014

Last few migrants – Sabkhat Al Fasl

Birding has slowed down considerably now and the
summer heat has reached 48 degrees Celsius but there are still a very small
number of migrants around. The only ones we saw on 8 July were two Barn
Swallows and a single extremely late Northern Wheatear. The best birds seen
were a juvenile Red-wattled Lapwing a scarce visitor to the Eastern Province
and a second calendar year summering Greater Spotted Eagle about which I have
posted detail already. Tern numbers had dropped off significantly with most
birds now on their Gulf coral island breeding sites although a few
White-cheeked Terns and some Common Terns were seen along with a group of 25
Caspian Terns and several Little Terns. Herons as always were conspicuous with
plenty of Little Bitterns seen including males, females and juveniles
indicating a successful breeding season for the species. Squacco Herons in full
breeding plumage were also seen in good numbers with about 15 birds seen. Other
birds included thousands of Greater Flamingos, the regular summering Caspian
Gulls (adult and second calendar year) and numerous Graceful Prinias, Caspian
Reed Warblers and Indian (Clamorous) Reed Warblers. Two second calendar year Black-headed
Gulls were also seen on the flooded sabkha.

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About The Blog

I hope you enjoy browsing my latest images & notes from the field, the majority are from Dhahran (eastern Saudi Arabia) as well as bird ringing in Bahrain. Most of the photographs are of birds but I will also include other interesting natural history shots when I take them.

About The Photographs

I am an amateur photographer who goes birdwatching and takes the occasional picture with birdwatching being my primary interest. I do birdwatch in an area that has good light for photogrpahy and manage to take quite a few photographs each day.

All photos on this blog are copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without my permission. Please ask if you would like to use any of my photographs for any reason.